US4495957A - Flossing device - Google Patents

Flossing device Download PDF

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Publication number
US4495957A
US4495957A US06/439,537 US43953782A US4495957A US 4495957 A US4495957 A US 4495957A US 43953782 A US43953782 A US 43953782A US 4495957 A US4495957 A US 4495957A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
floss
trigger
trigger member
flossing device
securing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/439,537
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English (en)
Inventor
George Beggs
Thomas H. Richardson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US06/439,537 priority Critical patent/US4495957A/en
Priority to PCT/US1983/001653 priority patent/WO1984001708A1/fr
Priority to JP83503539A priority patent/JPS59501975A/ja
Priority to EP83903715A priority patent/EP0124589A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4495957A publication Critical patent/US4495957A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
    • A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
    • A61C15/046—Flossing tools

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to tooth care implements and more particularly to flossing devices.
  • the prior art discloses many flossing devices wherein a spool of floss is supported on the device, the free end of the floss being tensioned across a pair of prongs at one end of the device, the prongs being spaced such that the length of floss therebetween may be inserted between the teeth for effecting cleaning.
  • a principal drawback of one such device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,956, is the requirement that tension be effected by having the user pull on the free end of the floss during cleaning. Inasmuch as the user must grasp the device with one hand, tensioning must be effected with the other hand, and this device therefore offers little or no advantage over the usual technique of simply stretching the length of floss between the hands.
  • the floss is tensioned by securing the free end in some fashion to the body of the device. While these flossing devices are advantageous in that the flossing operation may be accomplished with one hand, the known devices have a variety of drawbacks. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,853, a button is secured to the device behind the prongs, and tensioning is effected by wrapping the floss about the small space between the button and the body of the device.
  • tensioning of the floss is effected by an axially moveable or rotatable member which traps the free end of the floss, and also the length of floss extending from the spool to the prongs, in a passage formed in the body of the device.
  • advancement of the floss for exposing a clean length of floss between the prongs requires grasping the device with one hand, moving the tensioning means, pulling on the floss to advance it, and then again moving the tensioning means to retension the floss.
  • the tensioning means in these devices cannot be manipulated by the same hand being used to hold the flossing device, it will be apparent that floss advancement is cumbersome and requires a certain amount of dexterity.
  • the free end of the floss passes through a hole in the body and is tensioned by a plug or the like disposed in the hole and moveable between a position wherein the floss is trapped between the plug and the defining walls of the passage, and another position wherein the strand is freed for pulling on the free end thereof for advancing the floss.
  • the free end of the floss comprises floss which has been previously used in a cleaning operation and is thereby soiled
  • the passage through which the free end passes also eventually becomes soiled.
  • this passage extends through the device, it will be apparent that cleaning of the passage is quite difficult, unless a specially shaped implement designed to fit in the passage is used. This is also true of the devices mentioned in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,837,098 and 3,814,114 discussed above.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,168 discloses a device similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,956, excepting that the free end of the floss does not pass through the same passage as the plug, but rather is trapped between an enlarged head of the plug and the confronting surface of the body of the flossing device. Again, however, it will be apparent that the space between the enlarged plug head and the body of the device will inevitably become soiled, and because the clearance in this space is quite small, thorough cleaning of this device is also difficult. In addition, in this device the free end of the floss is not inherently retained in position under the enlarged head of the plug when the plug is moved to the position wherein the floss is freed for advancement. Consequently, this device also suffers the drawback of cumbersome operation as the user is required to manually position the floss under the plug head after each advancement.
  • a flossing device comprising a body having a handle portion dimensioned for grasping by one hand of the user, and a barrel portion extending from one end of the handle portion, the free end of the barrel comprising a pair of prongs defining a space therebetween at their free ends.
  • Means are provided for securing a spool of floss to the body for rotation relative thereto, and the body is provided with grooves defining a path for the floss about the body from the securing means, over a surface portion of the body, across the space between the prongs and back over the body surface portion.
  • the device further includes a trigger member, and means for securing the trigger member to the body for movement by the same hand used to grasp the device between one position wherein a surface of the trigger contacts the surface portion of the body for securing both lengths of floss passing thereover against movement for tensioning the floss extending across the space between the prongs, and a second position wherein the trigger surface is spaced from the body surface portion for accommodating advancement of the floss along the path by pulling on the free floss end with the other hand for moving a clean length of floss into the space between the prongs.
  • the device also includes means operable by the hand grasping the device for releasably securing the trigger member in the one position.
  • the grooves serve to retain the floss in the floss path whereby the device is rereadied for use by simply moving the trigger back to the one position.
  • the trigger is also moveable to a third position wherein the trigger surface and the body surface portion are sufficiently spaced to expose both surfaces for cleaning.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the flossing device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2 and showing the manner of use of the preferred flossing device of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the trigger mechanism in the floss advancing position
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 in FIG. 3.
  • the preferred flossing device in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
  • the device 10 includes a generally gun-shaped body 12, a trigger mechanism 20, and a cap 22.
  • the body 12 may be formed in a variety of ways and from a variety of different materials.
  • the separate halves 13, 15 are preferably injection molded from plastic, such as polycarbonate ABS, and are joined together by integral projections 17 on one half 13 which snap fit into corresponding holes 19 formed in the other half 15 (FIG. 1), only some of the contemplated projections 17 and holes 19 being shown in FIG. 1.
  • the body halves 13, 15 may be hollowed out, this not being shown in the drawings.
  • Trigger mechanism 20 and cap 22 are also preferably injection molded from plastic, such as polycarbonate ABS.
  • the generally gun-shaped body 12 includes an enlarged portion 26 which defines a handle for holding the device 10 during use, and a barrel portion 28 which extends forwardly and downwardly in an arcuate fashion relative to the handle 26, the barrel portion having a generally U-shaped forward end 14 defining a pair of prongs or tines 16, 18.
  • the arcuate shape of the barrel portion 28 serves to facilitate use of the device 10.
  • the upper surface of the barrel portion 28 between the forward end 14 and handle portion 26 is formed with a generally rectangular recess 29 defining a surface 30.
  • a pair of transverse indents 32 are formed in the surface 30, the indents 32 preferably being closed at either end by the defining walls of the body 12.
  • a centrally disposed blind slot 34 is formed in the body 12 for communication with the recess 29 at the forward end thereof, the lower defining wall 36 of the slot 34 extending beneath the surface 30.
  • a through passage 38 is formed in the body 12 at the other end of the recess 29, the passage 38 extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the body 12, the upper portion of the passage 38 communicating with the recess 29.
  • the passage 38 is preferably of generally rectangular cross-section.
  • trigger mechanism 20 is dimensioned to be received in the recess 29.
  • trigger mechanism 20 includes a main portion 40, a generally cylindrical member 42 depending from one end of the portion 40 and dimensioned for seating in the slot 34, an elongate generally L-shaped member 46 depending from the other end of the portion 40 and dimensioned for disposition in the passage 38, and a pair of intermediate transverse ridges 48 dimensioned for seating in the grooves 32 in the surface 30 of the recess 29.
  • the member 42 of the trigger mechanism 20 is provided with a transverse hole 50.
  • the hole 50 is dimensioned to receive with clearance a projection 52 extending from one defining side wall of the slot 34 and integrally formed with one half 13 of the body 12.
  • the free end of projection 52 is dimensioned for a snap fit in a blind hole 54 formed in the other defining wall of the slot 34 in the other body half 15.
  • assembly of the body 12 and trigger mechanism 20 is accomplished by passing the projection 52 through the hole 50, and then securing the two halves of the body 12 together by snapping the projections 17 into holes 19 and projection 52 into hole 54 in the manner described above.
  • the trigger mechanism 20 is free to pivot about the projection 52 in a manner that will be more fully described in connection with a description of the operation of the device 10.
  • the enlarged end 56 of the member 46 extends through the passage 38, the shoulder 55 defined by the end 56 engaging the lower surface of the barrel portion 28.
  • the member 46 is in its unflexed or rest position.
  • the member 46 must be sufficiently flexible that it may be pushed toward the rear of the body 12 until the end 56 is in alignment with the passage 38. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, this is accomplished by forming the trigger mechanism 20 from a non-rigid material, e.g. polycarbonate ABS, and making the arm 47 of the member 46 sufficiently thin that it may be flexed relative to the main portion 40.
  • a blind transverse circular cavity 58 is provided in the handle portion 26 of the body 12 for receiving a spool of floss 24 and the cap 22.
  • a centrally disposed axial post 62 extends from the rear defining wall 60 of the cavity 58, the post 62 being dimensioned for a clearance fit with the hole 64 in the spool of floss 24.
  • the cap 22 is hollow, the side wall 66 of the cap being dimensioned for a friction fit with the defining walls of the cavity 58 for releasably securing the cap 22 in the body 12 for releasably retaining the spool of floss 24 in the cavity 58 during use of the device 10.
  • the cap 22 is formed with a lip 69 to facilitate removal of the cap 22 from the body 12 for changing the spool 24.
  • the side wall 66 of the cap 22 is provided with an axially extending slit 68, the free end of the floss from the spool 24 passing through the slit 68 and from there to the floss path defined about the body 12 and described immediately hereinafter.
  • the floss path about the body 12 is defined by a plurality of grooves 70, 72, 74 and 76 in the outer defining walls of the body parts 13 and 15.
  • groove 70 is formed in the body part 15 and extends from the front of the cavity 58 to the bottom of the recess 29 at the rear end thereof.
  • Groove 72 is also formed in the part 13 and extends from the bottom of the recess 29 at the front end thereof across the front of the prong 18.
  • Groove 74 is formed in the body part 13 and extends from the front of the prong 16 to the bottom of the recess 29 at the front end thereof.
  • the groove 76 is also formed in body part 13 and extends from the bottom of the recess 29 at the rear end thereof to its point of termination a short distance from the recess 29.
  • the floss spool 24 is disposed on the post 62 in the cavity 58.
  • the cap 22 is then fitted into the cavity 58, the free end 78 of the floss being held in the slit 68 in the side wall 66 of the cap as the cap is fitted in place.
  • the user supports the cap such that the slit 68 is generally in alignment with the groove 70.
  • alignment between slit 68 and groove 70 may be insured by providing one or more ridges on the outer surface of the cap side wall 66 and mating recesses on the defining side wall of the cavity 58.
  • Other available techniques for insuring registration of slit 68 and groove 70 will also suggest themselves to those skilled in the art once this description is known.
  • the floss end 78 is pulled through the groove 70, across the bottom wall 30 of the recess 29 and into the groove 74 in the other half 13 of the body 12.
  • the floss is then pulled through the groove 74, across the space between the prongs 16, 18 and into the groove 72. From there, the floss is again pulled across the recess 29 and then into the groove 76 with the free end 78 left to dangle alongside the body 12.
  • the trigger mechanism 20 is moved to its fully closed position (solid lines in FIG.
  • the two sections of floss which criss-cross in the recess 29 are tightly pinched between the trigger mechanism 20 and the surface 30 thereby preventing further movement of the floss in the grooves 70, 72, 74 and 76.
  • the integrity of the securement of the floss in the recess 29 by the trigger mechanism 20 is enhanced by the ridges 48 on the trigger mechanism which seat in the complementary recesses 32 in the surface 30, the forwardmost wedge-shaped ridge 48 serving to pull the floss toward the handle as the trigger is moved to the closed position thereby aiding in the tensioning of the length of floss 80 extending between the prongs 16, 18.
  • the surface 30 of the recess 29 and the confronting surface of the main portion 40 of the trigger 20 may be provided with dull serrations to further enhance the pinching effect.
  • the flossing device 10 is ready for use.
  • the user grasps the handle portion 26 in the palm of the hand, the body 12 being shaped such that the forefinger will naturally rest on the end 56 of the trigger member 46 and the thumb will rest on the top of the trigger above the member 46.
  • Flossing is effected by inserting the front end 14 of the barrel 28 into the mouth and then manipulating the length of floss 80 extending between the prongs 16, 18 into the space between the teeth to be cleaned.
  • the spacing between the prongs 16 and 18 is selected at preferably about 0.625 inches whereby the length of floss 80 may be manipulated for cleaning the plaque from the sides of the teeth below the gum.
  • the arcuate shape of the barrel portion 28 of the device 10 facilitates insertion of the device 10 into the mouth over the bottom (or top) teeth for cleaning plaque from teeth at the rear of the mouth (FIG. 3).
  • the trigger 20 and barrel portion 28 present a substantially continuous, smooth surface which is both aesthetically pleasing and safe, there being no unnecessary protrusions which could injure the oral cavity during use of the device 10.
  • a new length of floss 80 may be positioned between the prongs 16, 18 by simply pulling, with the free hand, on the free end 78 of the floss extending from the groove 76. It will be apparent that as the free end 78 is pulled, the spool 24 will rotate about the post 62 and floss will be pulled through the grooves 70, 72, 74 and 76, the user pulling the floss until a new, clean length of floss 80 is disposed between the prongs 16, 18. Using the thumb, the user then pushes down on the trigger 20 until the mechanism 20 again assumes its fully closed position whereupon the device 10 is ready for the next cleaning operation.
  • the user may simply move the trigger 20 to the floss advancing position (FIG. 5), whereupon the floss is freed for movement such that the free end 78 may be pulled through the side of the teeth.
  • the trigger mechanism When cleaning is completed, the trigger mechanism is simply pivoted back to its fully closed position illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 3, whereupon the device 10 is again ready for use.
  • the outer surfaces of the member 46 are preferably rounded.
  • an elongate cylindrical spool of floss may be secured in the rear of the body 12 such that the axis of the spool is parallel with the axis of the body.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US06/439,537 1982-11-05 1982-11-05 Flossing device Expired - Fee Related US4495957A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/439,537 US4495957A (en) 1982-11-05 1982-11-05 Flossing device
PCT/US1983/001653 WO1984001708A1 (fr) 1982-11-05 1983-10-21 Dispositif de nettoyage des dents a l'aide d'un fil de soie dentaire
JP83503539A JPS59501975A (ja) 1982-11-05 1983-10-21 フロツシング装置
EP83903715A EP0124589A1 (fr) 1982-11-05 1983-10-21 Dispositif de nettoyage des dents a l'aide d'un fil de soie dentaire

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/439,537 US4495957A (en) 1982-11-05 1982-11-05 Flossing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4495957A true US4495957A (en) 1985-01-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/439,537 Expired - Fee Related US4495957A (en) 1982-11-05 1982-11-05 Flossing device

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US4495957A (fr)
EP (1) EP0124589A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS59501975A (fr)
WO (1) WO1984001708A1 (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4657034A (en) * 1986-10-17 1987-04-14 Koski Philip A Dental floss dispenser
US4934523A (en) * 1989-08-21 1990-06-19 Strom Paul H Dental floss container
US4936326A (en) * 1989-03-02 1990-06-26 Elizabeth B. Eckroat Dental floss cleaning device
US5141008A (en) * 1991-05-15 1992-08-25 Lee Lawrence L Dental floss applicator
US5301699A (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-04-12 Thomas Craft Dental floss dispenser apparatus
US5423338A (en) * 1994-03-08 1995-06-13 Hodge; Rex A. Dental flossing tool
DE4411640A1 (de) * 1994-04-02 1995-10-05 Gega Josef Halter für Zahnseide
US5560378A (en) * 1993-12-01 1996-10-01 Tiphonnet; Joel Self-dispensing dental floss applicator
US6394103B1 (en) * 2000-09-21 2002-05-28 Forsyth, Iii Roland Dental flossing tool
US20040255972A1 (en) * 2003-06-20 2004-12-23 Chen Chia Ching Floss dispenser with dynamic tension control
US20050092347A1 (en) * 2003-11-04 2005-05-05 Sheng-Fa Fan Handy dental flosser
US20060086369A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2006-04-27 Wilkinson William T Toothbrush and flossing system
US7234473B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2007-06-26 Steven Nebeker Winters Dental floss dispensers, flossing tools, and toothbrush flosser
US20140261511A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Ash Nibbe Dental flossing device
USD884279S1 (en) * 2018-05-17 2020-05-12 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Oral care device
USD922078S1 (en) * 2019-09-30 2021-06-15 Hilt LLC Combined toothbrush and floss dispenser

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2237203A (en) * 1989-10-25 1991-05-01 Richard Anthony Ridley Dental floss appliance
AU611623B3 (en) * 1990-11-07 1991-04-30 Raymond Chen Tooth cleaner device for retention of reel means carrying a spool of strings

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2644469A (en) * 1951-10-04 1953-07-07 Cohen Maximilian Dental floss container and manipulator
US3378017A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-04-16 Robert G. Stiles Dental floss applicator
US3871393A (en) * 1973-11-19 1975-03-18 Franklin Eugene Wharton Dental floss applicator
US3882879A (en) * 1973-04-02 1975-05-13 Jack R Lucas Dental flossing instruments

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2644469A (en) * 1951-10-04 1953-07-07 Cohen Maximilian Dental floss container and manipulator
US3378017A (en) * 1965-10-23 1968-04-16 Robert G. Stiles Dental floss applicator
US3882879A (en) * 1973-04-02 1975-05-13 Jack R Lucas Dental flossing instruments
US3871393A (en) * 1973-11-19 1975-03-18 Franklin Eugene Wharton Dental floss applicator

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4657034A (en) * 1986-10-17 1987-04-14 Koski Philip A Dental floss dispenser
US4936326A (en) * 1989-03-02 1990-06-26 Elizabeth B. Eckroat Dental floss cleaning device
US4934523A (en) * 1989-08-21 1990-06-19 Strom Paul H Dental floss container
US5141008A (en) * 1991-05-15 1992-08-25 Lee Lawrence L Dental floss applicator
US5301699A (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-04-12 Thomas Craft Dental floss dispenser apparatus
US5560378A (en) * 1993-12-01 1996-10-01 Tiphonnet; Joel Self-dispensing dental floss applicator
US5423338A (en) * 1994-03-08 1995-06-13 Hodge; Rex A. Dental flossing tool
DE4411640A1 (de) * 1994-04-02 1995-10-05 Gega Josef Halter für Zahnseide
US7234473B1 (en) 1998-06-01 2007-06-26 Steven Nebeker Winters Dental floss dispensers, flossing tools, and toothbrush flosser
US6394103B1 (en) * 2000-09-21 2002-05-28 Forsyth, Iii Roland Dental flossing tool
US7159596B2 (en) * 2003-06-20 2007-01-09 Chia-Ching Chen Floss dispenser with dynamic tension control
US20040255972A1 (en) * 2003-06-20 2004-12-23 Chen Chia Ching Floss dispenser with dynamic tension control
US20050092347A1 (en) * 2003-11-04 2005-05-05 Sheng-Fa Fan Handy dental flosser
US20060086369A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2006-04-27 Wilkinson William T Toothbrush and flossing system
US8015982B2 (en) * 2004-10-26 2011-09-13 Wilkinson William T Toothbrush and flossing system
US20140261511A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Ash Nibbe Dental flossing device
US9016287B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2015-04-28 Ash Nibbe Dental flossing device
USD884279S1 (en) * 2018-05-17 2020-05-12 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Oral care device
USD922078S1 (en) * 2019-09-30 2021-06-15 Hilt LLC Combined toothbrush and floss dispenser
USD1003050S1 (en) 2019-09-30 2023-10-31 Hilt LLC Combined toothbrush and floss dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0124589A1 (fr) 1984-11-14
WO1984001708A1 (fr) 1984-05-10
JPS59501975A (ja) 1984-11-29

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Effective date: 19890129